By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ashes of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu were interred at St George’s Cathedral in a private family service on Sunday morning.Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town laid the ashes to rest in front of the high altar of the cathedral.
He called on South Africans to turn a new page and come together.
“Use this opportunity to turn a new page. Let us commit ourselves as a church and society to the radical, the revolutionary change that he advocated, based on the demands of the Bible.
“Let us live as simply as he lived, exemplified by his pine coffin with rope handles. Let those of us who have resources pull in our belts, that others can eat enough to fill their stomachs. Let us re-order our society to end inequality and create equal opportunities for all,” said Makgoba
Makgoba also suggested that Cape Town’s airport be renamed the Archbishop Desmond Mpilo International Airport.
Rest in peace Arch pic.twitter.com/CK9xVekvRA
— Thabo Makgoba (@ArchbishopThabo) January 2, 2022
Some 20 members of Tutu’s family, led by his widow “Mama Leah” were present.
Famed for his modesty, Tutu had left instructions for a simple, no-frills funeral with a cheap coffin, followed by an eco-friendly flameless cremation.
Family, friends, clergy and politicians had attended a requiem mass on Saturday with President Cyril Ramaphosa leading the tributes.